The previous few years have been an excellent time for sci-fi gaming followers, and 2025 was no exception. We have launched into expansive house journeys, battled cosmic behemoths, and survived the post-apocalypse a number of occasions over. And now, because the yr involves an in depth, we’re right here to put down the house regulation with our greatest sci-fi and house video games of 2025.
We have seen all of it, from big-budget, AAA titles like The Outer Worlds 2 and DOOM: The Darkish Ages to plucky indie tasks like Routine and Citizen Sleeper 2. Nearly each style is represented on this checklist too, with technique video games and RPGs sitting proudly alongside first-person shooters and preventing video games.
10. The Outer Worlds 2
Launch date: October 29, 2025 | Platforms: PC (Home windows), PS5, Xbox Collection X/S | Developer: Obsidian Leisure
The Outer Worlds blasted off in late 2025 to surprisingly little fanfare, however most gamers agree it is a large improve over the unique space-set RPG. With a much more comedic tone, bigger maps (throughout a number of planets) to discover, and versatile dialogue and development methods, it packed nearly the whole lot we might’ve wished from a follow-up.
The story follows an all-new customized character — an Earth Directorate agent — tasked with uncovering what’s inflicting damaging rifts which are spreading throughout the galaxy. As you’d anticipate from an Obsidian sport, the narrative is formed by your choices and actions, with character builds providing all types of bonus choices to cope with delicate conditions. The replay worth is excessive, so long as the combination of FPS motion and open-ended exploration clicks with you.
9. Dune: Awakening
Launch date: June 10, 2025 | Platform: PC (Home windows) | Developer: Funcom
Although it isn’t immediately linked to Denis Villeneuve’s large film variations, Dune: Awakening places a lot of their aesthetic to good use and manages to seize the cruel, however lovely marvel of Arrakis.
As a web-based survival sport, it would not break quite a lot of new floor, however Frank Herbert’s universe’s distinctive traits and parts give it a unique taste from the get-go and refresh the acquainted MMO gameplay loop.
In a gaming panorama filled with always-online MMOs price exploring in depth, Arrakis’ treacherous sands and its extra populated locales are alluring in methods even the largest Dune followers weren’t anticipating at first. With a concentrate on base-building, factions, and tales that broaden on the characters and lore we already knew, Dune: Awakening finds its personal stability and rewards persistent teams of gamers.
As a solo adventurer, there’s additionally enjoyable available, however put together your self for a extra nomadic playstyle, making use of powers and devices to keep away from direct battle. Simply bear in mind: Don’t worry. Worry is the mind-killer.
8. DOOM: The Darkish Ages
Launch date: Might 15, 2025 | Platforms: PC (Home windows), PS5, Xbox Collection X/S | Developer: id Software program
Taking over total demonic armies of hell by no means will get previous, particularly once we get to step into the large stompy boots of the mighty Doom Slayer (or Doomguy for the OG followers). This yr, DOOM: The Darkish Ages gave us an especially steel prequel that — whereas a bit too lore and cutscene-heavy — introduced extra shocking methods and gameplay refreshes to maintain the long-running FPS sequence alive and kicking butt.
However wait, it is a sci-fi checklist; would not DOOM: The Darkish Ages have a medieval setting? Sure, however it additionally comprises loads of plasma weapons, rocket launchers, spaceships, and whatnot. It expertly mixes darkish fantasy and sci-fi parts, and the artwork route alone makes it an journey price embarking on.
Some say you’ll be able to’t educate an previous canine new methods, however id Software program has confirmed all of the doubters improper as soon as once more. Positive, it isn’t as impressed because the finest DOOM video games, however few shooter formulation have remained this enjoyable and iconic for thus lengthy.
7. Marvel Cosmic Invasion
Launch date: December 1, 2025 | Platforms: PC (Home windows & Linux), PS4/5, Xbox Collection X/S, Nintendo Change 1/2 | Developer: Tribute Video games
One other large favourite that arrived proper earlier than the top of the yr was Marvel Cosmic Invasion. Tribute Video games isn’t any stranger to knocking out glorious side-scrolling blasts from the previous (however they’re trendy releases), so expectations have been excessive.
With a enjoyable solid of heroes borrowed from throughout Marvel’s historical past, and sufficient combos and particular strikes to hold the journey to the end line, it is one in all our favourite trendy beat ’em ups and little doubt one of many yr’s finest sci-fi video games total.
Annihilus, an often-overlooked Marvel villain, additionally will get much-deserved time to shine on this pixelated cosmic odyssey, along with his insectoid Annihilation Wave on the heart of the galaxy-wide chaos that additionally showcases different well-known unhealthy guys like Knull and Galactus. A lesser model of Marvel Cosmic Invasion might’ve been one-note, however Tribute Video games went for broke with each the roster of playable characters and the choice of enemies and places. The result’s a tremendous celebration of the extra space-oriented aspect of the Marvel universe.
6. Terminator 2D: NO FATE
Launch date: December 12, 2025 | Platforms: PC (Home windows), PS4/5, Xbox One & Collection X/S, Nintendo Change | Developer: Bitmap Bureau
We lately ran by the Terminator video games which are truly good, since most of them… you already know, suck. We will add one other entry to that checklist, although, as Bitmap Bureau’s Terminator 2D: NO FATE is an authorized banger. It leans laborious on the retro vibes and refreshes the side-scrolling method with some new methods.
At first look, it’d seem like an old style throwback with pure arcade DNA you’ll be able to beat in a single sitting, however with alternate story paths and loads of unlockable modes that make achievement-hunting a blast, Terminator 2D: NO FATE surprises with out diluting its pick-up-and-play nature. The pixel artwork is beautiful; the controls are easy; and the mission selection retains the expertise dynamic throughout its brief runtime. James Cameron’s 1991 sci-fi motion masterpiece lastly has a sport tie-in worthy of its legacy.
5. Tempest Rising
Launch date: April 24, 2025 | Platform: PC (Home windows) | Developer: Slipgate Ironworks
Slipgate Ironworks shocked us in 2025 with Tempest Rising, a superb sci-fi real-time technique sport. At first look, it appears very Command & Conquer influenced, however when you get previous the plain homages, you may uncover Tempest Rising is a lot extra.
With two very asymmetrical playable factions (and the promise of stranger additions on the horizon), this RTS leans laborious on its sci-fi parts, and the moment-to-moment enjoyable issue is larger due to it.
The story takes us into an alternate historical past Earth the place two factions battle over the management of territory and the mysterious Tempest useful resource, which has enabled all types of technological developments. The complexity shortly ramps up, and the 2 distinct campaigns know the way to maintain issues participating in the long term. After that, in fact, it is all about offline skirmishes and, when you’re courageous sufficient, dueling on-line opponents. With strong base-building, stable fight mechanics, and well-designed models, Tempest Rising now sits comfortably among the many RTS classics.
4. Routine
Launch date: December 4, 2025 | Platforms: PC (Home windows), Xbox One & Collection X/S | Developer: Lunar Software program
Leisure Editor Ian right here for this entry. I am a little bit of a child with regards to horror video games, however I’ll soldier by when the aesthetic is on level. So, as a fan of the retrofuturistic, tapepunk look of flicks like Alien, Routine necessitated me placing on my large boy pants and wading in.
I am glad I did too, as a result of Routine is a masterclass in visible styling, world-building, and rigidity. The opening half of the sport performs out just like the android sections of Alien Isolation, as you keep away from killer house robots whereas determining what occurred to the crew of the moon base you have been despatched to restore.
Then one thing else arrives, and we’re a family-friendly web site, which suggests I can not use the torrent of curse phrases that I might usually use to explain it right here, so I will simply say “flip that factor, flip it proper to heck”. You will spend a bit extra time than is right hiding below a desk, ready for enemies to maneuver so you’ll be able to proceed, however this minor pacing quibble apart, Routine is totally deserving of your time.
3. Dying Stranding 2: On the Seashore
Launch date: June 26, 2025 | Platform: PS5 | Developer: Kojima Productions
Dying Stranding 2 is in contrast to the rest on the market. For those who’re in search of standard tales and characters, look elsewhere as a result of it is a Hideo Kojima sport. He is a bizarre man, however you’ll be able to’t deny the person’s potential to craft fashionable and intriguing video games. For those who vibe with that, this daring sequel is likely one of the yr’s finest releases.
Dying Stranding 2 has a much bigger concentrate on participant freedom than the unique, letting you deal with deliveries throughout troublesome landscapes in additional attention-grabbing methods. Consequently, a lot of the unique’s monotony was nullified, however what about the remainder?
Properly, it is laborious to explain the plot, and even tougher to take action with out spoiling something. However on this off-beat post-apocalypse, the place mysterious hostile creatures roam the Earth and communities search to reconnect by way of the Chiral Community, porter Sam Bridges and his allies search to assist Australian colonies 11 months after the USA-set authentic sport. With a much bigger concentrate on fight and automobiles in between lengthy walks, it actually stands by itself and continues to be a novel expertise. It is not for everybody, however it rewards the curious.
2. Break up Fiction
Launch date: March 6, 2025 | Platforms: PC (Home windows), PS5, Xbox Collection X/S, Nintendo Change 2 | Developer: Hazelight Studios
After profitable Recreation of the Yr at The Recreation Awards again in 2021, Hazelight Studios went to work on their subsequent ground-breaking co-op title. The consequence was Break up Fiction, a bonkers co-op journey that takes us by a smorgasbord of each fantasy and science fiction worlds, honoring the previous and current of the genres throughout gaming, films, and books.
On this crazy journey – which could be performed in split-screen or on-line co-op – two aspiring writers are trapped inside tales they’ve written when an organization tries to shamelessly steal their inventive concepts. This may sound acquainted in our age of AI slop generated utilizing stolen works, however the sport’s execution is at the least extra entertaining than Large Tech’s makes an attempt to destroy the web.
With gentle cycles and laser cannons that includes alongside dragons and magical powers, there’s by no means a uninteresting second in Break up Fiction. The sheer number of concepts, distinct sequences, and set items it throws at you is just mind-blowing. Mud off that second controller, name a pal, and play this one — you owe it to your self.
1. Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector
Launch date: January 31, 2025 | Platforms: PC (Home windows & macOS), PS5, Xbox Collection X/S, Nintendo Change | Developer: Leap Over The Age
Citizen Sleeper 2 was one in all our most anticipated video games for 2025, and launching again in January, it was a incredible strategy to begin the yr.
This dice-driven RPG is a standalone sequel to the unique (which you need to positively additionally try), constructing upon the whole lot that made the unique nice. It is half role-playing sport, half choose-your-own-adventure e book in disguise, and your mileage will rely in your tolerance for studying in your video games, however the story it tells is well worth the effort.
It is not only a e book, although — it is constructed on the muse of decision-making and dice-rolling that Dungeons & Dragons followers know and love. You play as an escaped android attempting to outlive a chilly, cyberpunk future amongst the celebs.
As a consequence of its board sport-like design, the thought is to undergo Citizen Sleeper 2 a number of occasions, experiencing totally different outcomes and digging up tales and discoveries you might have missed the primary time round. The straightforward gameplay signifies that repeating runs is rarely a slog, so it is good for avid gamers preferring the extra enjoyable aspect of the medium.
Simply do not anticipate the writing to go really easy on you; Citizen Sleeper 1 & 2 are heavy explorations of transhumanism, the gig economic system, and the strain company management places on all of us. Pleased holidays, everybody!!!!
